Please Share The Road

In honor of finally getting a car I really wanted, I decided to treat myself with a special plate. When we lived in Kansas I loved having a veteran plate, but here in Georgia there are no just veteran's plates. There are retired military plates, purple heart plates, desert storm plates (but no Iraq war plates oddly), reserve plates, national guard plates, and many other military plates, but none that apply to me. I went through the DMV website and saw a few I liked, mostly ones with animals on it, then I found the perfect plate.

A plate with a cyclist on it with the phrase "Share The Road" across the bottom. I thought this would be perfect for my new lifestyle. In training for triathlons I have been spending a number of hours on my new road bike. Of course when I went to go register my car they didn't have any at the office, so I was given a temporary tag to cover me until my Share The Road plate came in the mail. Only 2 weeks later my cool new plate came in the mail. It was a nice addition to my new car.

Sadly, I was looking at articles on the Iroman website and found many stories of triathletes who have lost their lives training on the roads. This is a scary reality, but one I think about every time I climb on my bike and clip in. Will this be the day? Will the driver see me? Will the driver be paying attention, or will he or she be in the middle of a text message and run me over? How sad it would be that I survived 2 tours in Iraq only to be killed on the road in my own country training for a race. 2 weeks ago a large pick-up truck ran me off the side of the road and I got a chance to see how my road bike handles in the dirt, and it doesn't handle very good, but I am fortunate that I was only run off the road and I wasn't hit.

Many drivers are annoyed by cyclists, they believe that we do not belong on the road with them, that roads are for cars. These drivers can keep their thoughts to themselves and just go around us. When we are out on the road, its not because we are trying to be a nuisance, we are trying to achieve something much bigger then ourselves. The world of endurance sports is very rewarding, I cannot describe the feeling of self satisfaction and achievement I have in myself after a long bike ride. It is also very tough, tiring, and demanding. When you feel as if you cannot peddle another stroke, you continues on and do another 8 or 10 miles. In addition to training for the many sprint triathlons I have coming up over the next few months, the big picture is I am training for is the Orlando Ironman 70.3 in May of next year. After that event I will reach for the stars and start looking forward to doing a full Ironman. In order to do these events, I need to train, on the road, and survive. Maybe these drivers who feel we do not belong on the road should get up from behind the wheel and get on a bike themselves.

The big picture is, like my license plate says, share the road. Give the cyclist a safe road to travel on, so they can worry about their posture and peddle stroke, and not about getting killed by a vehicle. If you see one of us, slow down, pass, and then go on with your day, and take pride in the fact that you made that athlete's tough ride just a little bit easier.

At Goal Before and After

I wanted to share this little thing I made with my photo editing software, it's my before and after pics, side by side. On the left is me at 286 pounds, on the right is me at my current weight, my maintenance weight, 150 pounds.

Bumping Up The 70.3

I got to talk to Joel about doing an Ironman 70.3 a little earlier next year. So next year, as long as registration doesn't sell out before I get a chance to register (probably in October) I will be doing the Orlando Ironman 70.3 on May 15th, 2011. I am really excited about this, its less than a year away! I know I will be ready for it.

My big concern lately with endurance sports is the nutrition element. As a bariatric patient I am supposed to limit my carbs, but as an endurance athlete I need carbs to perform, so I feel like I am on my own and don't really know what to do in regards to fueling my body. When I bought my Garmin Forerunner 110 at the running store, I picked up a pack of sport beans and a few packs of GU gel but I am scared to try them. I know I should just drop the fear of trying them but the bariatric clinic has wired it into my brain that carbs are evil and THEY ARE the enemy. Right before I got to maintenance phase I kept "hitting the wall" on my long runs. As soon as I started the maintenance plan and started eating a few carbs my runs have improved dramatically. I am going farther, faster, and not hitting that wall. Running and bike riding even feel better too, I feel strong while I'm out there, which is always a great feeling.

Gearing up for a long training weekend. I love it though, I think I finally have found what I am good at. We are past the halfway point in my husband's deployment. I am missing him so much. Lately everything reminds me of him. I try not to dwell on him being gone, since it will just bring me down. I wish he could have been here during my weight loss to watch all the changes, but I know we have the rest of our lives to enjoy together, especially now that I am not embarrassed to go out in public.

My First Run Using My Garmin Forerunner 110

Fort Stewart Run July 17, 2010 by jillian.omalley at Garmin Connect - Details

Great Day With My Bestie, And Some New Training Toys

Yesterday, Loraine took me out to lunch. We had a lot of fun. First thing was first though, I had sold my handgun the day before so I would be able to buy a Garmin Forerunner 110, a GPS watch with a heart rate monitor, I wanted one so bad, obviously if I was willing to sell my handgun for it. When I bought it I held it like a precious gem in my hands, it was just what I needed for my training. It tells exact distance while running, and your heart rate at the same time, so that way I can see if I am pushing too hard on my runs.

We went to Atlanta Bread Company (in Savannah). I had the meal that included half of a turkey sandwich on wheat and a bowl of chili. I ate the whole sandwich, it was heavenly. I savored every bite. I only had a few bites of the chili, I was starting to get full. Loraine went back to the counter and ordered some of their famous brownie bites and a chocolate chip cookie. I had a small taste of a brownie bite and another small taste of the chocolate chip cookie. Wow, I forgot just how yummy full sugared desserts are. I knew better than to have any more than just a taste. After that we went to world market so I could pick up some sugar free white chocolate syrup for my coffee, and dry roasted soy beans, my new favorite WLS friendly food. After than we went to Books A Million so I could pick up Triathlete Magazine,I also picked up some gun magazines for Joel to send to him in Iraq.

We had put my bike in the back of the Durango, since we were planing on going to the bike store to get my aerobars, and hopefully get them put on. I picked out some triathlon specific aerobars, they are so awesome. We went down the street to Starbucks while the bike shop was mounting them on. Its always so nice sitting at Starbucks sipping coffee with a friend, especially my best friend. After that it was time to pick up my bike, the bars are awesome and I can't wait to take my bike for a spin on my Sunday ride.

This morning I tried out my Garmin Forerunner 110 for the first time. It was such a big difference running with this new toy. I wanted to do at least 6 miles. The distance is super accurate since it works with GPS signal. I noticed at the almost 4 mile mark my heart rate was a little high, so I knew to slow down since I wanted to make it to 6, that's the great thing about training with a heart rate monitor. This little toy is going to be so essential in my future training. I ran 6.30 miles this morning, I was tired but it felt great. When we got home I plugged in the watch to the computer and uploaded my run on Garmin Connect, it showed me my mile splits, average heart rate, and lots of other data. If you are serious about becoming a runner, this little toy is a much needed item.

Quietly Shifting Gears to Maintenance

Well, today, quietly, I decided I am done losing weight and I will begin the lifelong maintenance phase. A few weeks ago at my 6 month appointment, my surgeon's PA (who I love) told me she wants me to stop losing at 150 pounds. She had to tell me this since I was never given a goal weight from the beginning, but this is the goal weight she gave me. Joel was at this appointment since he was on midtour leave. Joel advised me to not get hung up on a number, and to see how I felt when I got to 150 pounds.

I am now at 150 pounds, I am very happy with how I look, and all I have accomplished thus far. I like this weight. I am 5 foot 6 and this weight is good for me. My body needs the starchy carbs that are a part of the maintenance phase if I am to continue my triathlon and half marathon training at this pace.

I finally got to talk to Joel today, for the first time in a week. He was moving to a new camp so we weren't able to communicate all week. He is very happy for me making it to 150, and is happy that I am switching to maintenance phase. He reminded me once again he didn't want me to get hung up on a number, and he's glad that I am sticking to 150 since I have quite a few pounds of extra skin hanging off me. I'm so glad I got to talk to him on this day, its always so great to hear his words of encouragement and reassuring me on things like this. Only 5 more months and my love will be home.

To celebrate making it to maintenance phase today I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast,a real carb. It was the best tasting oatmeal ever, for the first time in my life I actually savored every bite of that small bowl of oatmeal. I had scrambled eggs first, then the oatmeal, and the small serving of each food satisfied me, and when I felt that full feeling I was done. Loraine is taking me out to lunch to celebrate on Friday, we are going to go to Atlanta Bread Company. I already know what I am ordering, a small chili with a small whole wheat baguette on the side.

Race Report and Other Noteables

So,I meant to write a race report right after the 4th of July 5k, but got sidetracked with life. So, here it is.

We woke up at 4 am to start getting ready since we had to leave at 5 am. The girls were miserable, but that's understandable. We loaded up the car and set out on the almost 2 hour drive to Hilton Head Island, SC. We arrived at the race site around 7 am, I went over to the registration table and picked up my race packet. After waiting around bored for an hour it was finally time for the race to begin. There were sooooo many people there, at least 1300, the largest race I have been in yet. I started in the middle like I always do, and this was a mistake I would find out down the road. The race started and it took a good 40 seconds just for me to cross the starting line because of the amount of participants. Soon after this I found out it was a mistake to get right in the middle. The first 6 minutes of the race I had to weave around people who decided to shuffle for the entire race. After I found a good pack location to run in, it was smooth sailing. It was hot but I was running well. Finally, a race volunteer told us only half a mile to go, and this is where I really notice the difference between military people and civilians. In the Army we learned that half a mile is when the motivation goes into overdrive and the run is almost over, so when this race volunteer yelled this to us, a lot of people sighed, groaned, and slowed down, I on the other hard, got really excited at this announcement and upped my pace big time, that the last quarter mile I practically sprinted, and finished the race in 29:42.

We didn't stay for the post race stuff, we just got in the car and headed home, we were all tired, and it was the 4th of July so we had boneless skinless chicken the grill. It was a good race, but next year I won't be making the almost 2 hour drive to do it again.

Some notable stuff I learned yesterday. I had to take a trip out to Savannah for a support group meeting my surgeon held. I left a few hours early so I could pick up a few things in Savannah and get something to eat for dinner before the meeting. A few months ago I tried soybeans as a protein source and I just didn't like them that much. Lately I have really been missing crunchy food. Yesterday I went to World Market and they had dry roasted lightly salted soybeans.I bought a bag, soybeans are one of my approved protein source and I really miss crunchy, so I figure this could be a good thing. I tried some today at lunch and they are awesome! So yummy! They are great, and I finally have a crunch food I can eat. They would also make a great protein source in a bariatric trail mix. Also yesterday, when it got to dinnertime I had planned on going to Wendy's for a small chili, and even though I was in the mood for chili I wasn't really feeling Wendy's. In my race packet last weekend there was a flyer for Atlanta Bread Company, and it mentioned chili on it. There is an Atlanta Bread Company in Savannah so I went and checked it out. They had all sorts of soups and salads that were WLS friendly, so after seeing the menu it took me a minute to decide between chili and a salad, but I did end up going with the chili. It was really good, and not too big, I was able to eat the whole thing. It tasted real, like it was made in someone's kitchen. Now, when me and Loraine go out to Savannah and we're struggling to find a restaurant, this is another good choice.

Training is going well, this morning I ran 6.01 miles without stopping. This is my furthest distance ran without stopping since surgery. I have been worn out all day from it. I'm meeting with some WLS peeps tomorrow late morning in Savannah, so I was debating on waking up super early to go to the gym, or to go in the evening when I have nothing going on, I decided on evening, I need a few extra hours sleep after the run I had this morning, my body need to recover. In the past I have experienced workout burnout and its not fun at all, I'm doing everything I know how to do to keep this from happening to me post WLS.

Mark Your Calendars

I registered for the Tri Red Triathlon on October 10th on Jekyll Island. Its a 400 meter ocean swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. This will be my first triathlon, I know I will be ready. I reserved a room at the host hotel to make things easier for me, Loraine, and the girls. I'm so excited about this, its all I have been able to think about lately. I wish so bad that Joel could be there, but there will be others, and he is really understanding about why I need to do this now. I'm doing the Firecracker 5k tomorrow morning on Hilton Head Island, so I'll write a race report tomorrow. Wish me luck!

My First Road Bike

Well, after a long day of traveling and driving yesterday, I finally got my road bike. Me and Loraine dropped the girls off at daycare and we were off to Statesboro to pick up my road bike, its about an hour away. I had special ordered a Trek 1.1 C, its an entry level road bike. It was within our budget and practical at this time since I will be upgrading to a tri bike when Joel gets back from Iraq. I will end up doing a few sprint triathlons with this road bike, my first triathlon ever being in October. The shop I bought the bike from didn't have clipless pedals and bike shoes, and since I knew I wanted to be riding quick, me and Loraine made the decision to drive all the way to Savannah, an hour away from Statesboro. We went to Savannah and went to my favorite bike shop, I would have bought a bike from them, but they don't carry Trek, and their entry level road bike costs $200 more than the one I bought, and we are trying to save a few bucks on the beginner bike since we are planning on getting me a tri bike in a few months. I am such a lucky gal to have such a supportive husband who not only believes in me, but understands how important this is to me and understand my gear is going to be expensive, but that we just have to work it out.

Once we made it to the bike store in Savannah, I tried on a few pairs of bike shoes and decided to go ahead and get tri shoes, since they are easier to get in and out of, and it will be one less thing to buy when I get my tri bike. Next I got some basic clipless pedals and the shop was nice enough to put them on my new bike for me. While installing the pedal I knew I was going to need some kind of tight spandex shorts for this sport. They had bike shorts and tri shorts, and since my whole reason for doing all this was to compete in triathlons I decided to go with tri shorts. The good thing about getting tri shorts is I have half of my tri suit, now I just need to find a tri top for swim practice and for race day. After trying on a few pairs of tri shorts I decided to go with some longer length ones to hide my sagging thigh skin a little.

After picking up the girls and finally getting home, it was time to try out my new bike and gear riding around my street. Loraine held up my bike so I could practice cliping in. When I got a little more comfortable with it I felt good about taking off and taking it for a spin. Wow, it was fast! It was my first time riding a road bike, the speed was something else to me. I went around in a few circles, then it was time to try and stop and get out of the pedals. I told Loraine to get ready to catch me, I unclipped one foot, put on the brakes, put that foot down and I stopped, and clipped my other foot out, I did it. I did this pattern of taking off, clipping in, riding a little, and unclipping for about an hour. I then decided that even if I had to wake up unreasonable early, I was going to go on a ride the next morning.

This morning I woke up a 5 am to get ready for my first ride. It had to be early because we had a lot going on today. I made it on Fort Stewart around 6:15 am. This was a bad time to ride, there was a lot of traffic. I won't ride again at this time, but today I just had to try my new bike. After about 10 minutes my butt started to get sore, really sore. By then end of my hour-long ride, I wanted to cry, my butt hurt so bad. Its something I will have to build up my butt to handling, plus I need to use the body glide the bike store gave me. All in all, it was a good first ride, and I can't wait until I can go really fast and stay consistent. Right now even sitting down hurts, so I will take tomorrow and Saturday off in preparation for my 5k race on Sunday. Here are pics from last night when I rode my bike around my street for the first time.